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ConfidenceProphet Samuel

A Voice to Trust

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

The cacophony of the world makes finding the voice to trust increasingly difficult. Whether wanting a reliable news station or a pastor who does more than tickle the ears. The man or woman behind the message gives it credence. Samuel knew this, as did the apostle Paul. In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel addressed the nation of Israel at King’s Saul’s coronation. His message began with his credentials. In his letters to new Christians, the apostle Paul also gave his credentials. Why was it necessary?

Samuel’s Credentials

Samuel lived before the nation of Israel as a prophet, and they experienced hearing and then seeing his words come to fruition as with Eli and his two sons. “I listened to you,” he said, “and have found you a king.” Then he asked the people, “Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey? Have I defrauded any of you?” They knew this man, an honourable man of God, living among them. “No, we have nothing against you.” And God was their witness.

Paul’s Credentials

In like manner, Paul, writer of the Book of Romans writes of himself, “a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.” To the Corinthians, he writes, “called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God.” To the Galatians, Paul wrote “an apostle (not from man nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)” Paul recounts his spiritual journey. “I did not receive this message from man. It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” He had stern words for the new church. They needed to know he knew who was speaking.

Why Necessary?

In both cases, these were men of God. They were His representatives, who spoke forth His truth. What we know of these men makes their message credible. Their message lined up with the lives that they lived. It is called integrity, the state of being whole, not divided. Even in difficult times, they shared the message of God and backed it up by the lives they lived before him. To this day, people of God trust the message passed down from these men.

Samuel’s coronation message began with his credentials. The apostle Paul also gave his credentials, and we understand how the messenger affects the message.

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Safe from the Storm

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

During a storm we look for shelter, a place of protection and warmth. We button down the hatches. In Noah’s day, a storm was coming. Because Noah walked with God, he knew of its coming, and also how to prepare for it. Those around him were too distracted by day to day events. They had no refuge when the storm hit.

No matter who we are or where we live, there are storms coming our way. The story of Noah is for our instruction. God offers a place of safety to those who trust Him. He offers the invitation, provides protection, and delivers His children.

The Invitation

In Genesis 7:1, God speaks to Noah. “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” In Matthew 11:28, Jesus also extends an invitation. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Both invitations call us to safety and require a response.

Protection

As Noah did, we find our protection in our response to God. “You are my hiding place,” says the Psalmist. “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Jesus said, “Follow Me.” He also said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John records additional words of Jesus, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him.”

Deliverance

God delivered Noah, and his family, from the flood. He delivers us because Jesus died and rose from the grave.

Paul received severe persecution as he obeyed God’s word yet hear his words, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. … I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.”

Peter tells us He will deliver us out of temptation. In Proverbs we read that deliverance is of the LORD.

Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, … to preach deliverance to the captives.”

Hear these words from “Master the Tempest is Raging.”

“Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, No water can swallow the ship where lies, the master of ocean and earth and sky They all shall sweetly obey Thy will Peace, Peace, be still.”

The story of Noah and his ark symbolizes the safety we find in the Christ of the Easter story. Jesus went into the ultimate storm, defeated the enemy, and rose from the dead, bringing the gift of eternal life for all who put their trust in Him. God is a place of safety to any who believe in Him. He offers the invitation. provides protection and delivers His children, in this life, and the one to come.

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Our Inheritance

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

One day when Jesus observed the anxiety on the face of His disciples, He made them a promise. “I am going to prepare a place for you. Then I am coming back to get you so we can be together.” The cross and the resurrection still lay ahead of them. Their finite minds grappled with His words. Here, beyond the cross, the resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter writes a letter in which he describes what awaits those who believe in Jesus. He writes of an inheritance, where it is, and who will receive it.

The Inheritance

God has not only begotten us to a living hope but also to an inheritance. Unlike the things of this world, it cannot be corrupted or resisted. Neither can it fade away. It brings to mind the words of Jesus when He says to lay up our treasures where you have no worries about thieves, rust or moths.

Where It Is

Peter writes that it is being reserved for us in heaven. In Mark’s gospel we read that Jesus was received up into heaven where He sat down at the Father’s right hand. In John 6:38 Jesus told His listeners that He came down from heaven. When Jesus spoke, it was of the things He knew about heaven. The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus hasn’t entered a holy place made by men but rather the true heaven where God resides. Our inheritance is with God the Father and Jesus.

Who Will Receive It

Peter writes it is for those who “are kept by the power of God.” It is through faith for salvation and it is ready to be revealed in the last time. As followers of Jesus, we are born again and begin a process of working our our salvation with fear and trembling until the day when all of the enemies of God, the last one being death, lie beneath His feet. We who search for that city whose builder and maker is God, will receive an unshakeable kingdom. Hear the words of Jude, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty dominion and power, both now and forever.”

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New Understanding

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Jesus, in the days before His death told His followers another would come, to remind them of His words and further instruct them. When Jesus returned to His disciples after His resurrection, He opened the scriptures to them, and explained His place in them. In 1 John 5:14-21, John writes, “the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding to know Him who is true.” We are in Him and also in His Son Jesus Christ, In Him is the true God and eternal life. By His Spirit we have a new understanding for confidence in prayer, in our relationship with Him, and to grow in Him.

Confidence in Prayer

The confidence we have is this, if we pray, in line with His heart, He hears us. In addition, if He hears us, which is already ascertained, then we know our prayers are already answered. But there is a need here for understanding even in prayer, John writes about a brother’s sin which does not lead to death and one that does. The amplified specifies leading to life as (that which can be repented of and forgiven.) Pray for the first and God will give him life, but as for the one whose sin leads to death he states, “I do not say that he should pray about that.”

In Our Relationship

Another aspect of our new understanding is this. Whoever is born of God does not sin,. No longer are we in a system of rules and regulations but rather a spiritual relationship. There the believer keeps his heart pure before God, the One he adores, and the wicked one does not touch him. We are born of God while the world remains swayed by the wicked on.

As We Grow

In our new understanding, God is true. With Him is eternal life. We don’t stay as babes drinking only milk. As Peter writes in 1 Peter 2;2, “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” John warns, “Keep yourselves from idols.” Let nothing stand between you and the Lord Jesus. Let His word live in you, receive from the vine and bear fruit. In Him, we gain a new understanding where we find confidence in prayer, in our relationship with Him, and as we grow in Him.

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